The Oregon Ducks have made a significant move in their quest to bolster their running back unit by securing a transfer commitment from Simeon Price, a former player for the Colorado Buffaloes. This marks the first time this offseason that the Ducks have added a running back through the transfer portal, which is crucial given that they need to fill the gaps left by four departing backs.
With the running back room becoming increasingly depleted as players exited through the transfer portal during the playoff season, Oregon has now welcomed Simeon Price (https://247sports.com/Player/Simeon-Price-46082403) into their ranks. Price stands tall at 6 feet and weighs 215 pounds, hailing from Florida and having had a diverse collegiate journey across three different programs, with Colorado being his most recent stop.
During his time with the Buffaloes, Price managed to make a notable impact in just four games, where he amassed 21 carries for 143 yards and scored 2 touchdowns, along with 4 receptions for an additional 10 yards. An injury he suffered proved fortuitous, allowing him to medically redshirt and extend his eligibility into a sixth season in 2026.
Throughout his college career, Price has consistently been active on the field. He launched his collegiate journey at Mississippi State in 2022, where he tallied 30 carries for 150 yards and caught 13 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown as a redshirt freshman. In 2023, he recorded 5 carries for 41 yards before moving to Coastal Carolina in 2024, where he accumulated 44 carries for 136 yards.
Returning to the Power 4 level with Colorado, Price displayed his skills effectively, highlighted by performances such as 5 carries for 30 yards against Georgia Tech and 9 carries for 54 yards in a victory over Delaware. Notably, he scored a touchdown on a 38-yard run during a game against Houston, despite the team ultimately losing 36-20. Unfortunately, his 2025 season was cut short due to an injury sustained shortly after scoring in a win against Wyoming.
Coming out of high school, Price was recognized as a three-star recruit with a rating of 88, attracting interest from over 20 collegiate programs. He ultimately chose to sign with Mississippi State, turning down offers from prestigious institutions like South Carolina, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
As the Ducks prepare for the upcoming season, they will rely on returning players such as Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. while having to fill the void left by the graduation of Noah Whittington. Additionally, they also need to replace Makhi Hughes, Jayden Limar, and Jay Harris, all of whom have entered the transfer portal prior to the end of the Ducks’ season.
In terms of recruiting efforts, Oregon initially secured a commitment from one running back for the 2026 class: Tradarian Ball, a four-star prospect from Texarkana, Texas. Recently, they also brought on board a January commitment from Brandon Smith, a Composite four-star recruit who originally signed with Arizona, out of Fresno, California.
It's worth noting that while the NCAA Transfer Portal officially closed on January 16, recruits who had already entered the portal remain available for recruitment throughout the offseason. The NCAA has also decided to eliminate the spring portal window starting this year.
